Ripon crime lab analyst pleads in drug theft case

RIPON (AP) — A former state crime lab forensic analyst accused of stealing drugs being held as evidence is facing 16 months behind bars after pleading guilty to an embezzlement charge.

Hermon Brown, 43, entered the plea on Tuesday, as his jury trial was under way.

Prosecutors say he stole half a pound of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine while working at the lab in Ripon, compromising dozens of drug cases in San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Merced and Stanislaus counties.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced in August. He entered the plea in exchange for a 16-month sentence.